In yesterday’s blog on Luke’s account of Jesus’ birth, we noted the sovereignty and providence of God and the faithfulness of God. Today, consider the following spiritual treasures which can also be mined from God’s Word:
- The ways of God. “And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid” (verses 6-9). God’s Anointed One was not born in a palace or a mansion, but a stable and then laid in a feeding trough. The first human witnesses were not the wise, or mighty, or noble. Why? Because “but God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in his presence” (1st Corinthians 1:27-29). The first humans invited to see the Lamb of God were shepherds keeping watch over their own flocks. Truly, man’s ways are not God’s ways “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than ways” (Isaiah 55:9).
- The amazing love of God for all humanity. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (verses 10-11). Both Jewish shepherds and Gentile wise men (Matthew 2:1-11) received heavenly announcements of Jesus’ birth. He is the Savior of all humanity. He came to reconcile both Jews and Gentiles back to God (Ephesians 2:16). The mystery revealed to the apostles and prophets is that in Christ Jews and Gentiles are fellow heirs of God, of the same spiritual body (the church), and equal partakers of all spiritual blessings in Christ (cf. Ephesians 3:1-6; 1:3). Because “ God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7). Yes, God SO loved the world!!
- The glory of God. “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men’” (verses 13-14).
AMEN!
